Lars Larson: The good guys win in a death penalty verdict

Every once in a while the good guys win one. They did in Deschutes County Court when a jury heard the penalty phase of Randy Guzek’s murder trial. This was the fourth trial on the same murders that happened nearly a quarter of a century ago. It involved Randy Guzek.

Now he’s been sentenced to death, and that’s a good thing. I know that some of your friends are going to tell you that is terrible—a man on death row. Let me tell you why it is good news.

All the best research, including research looked at by President Obama’s buddy Cass Sunstein, says that every time we execute a convicted killer, and do it lawfully, it deters at least eight murders. That is eight innocent citizens who will not die and be murdered because Randy Guzick is going to be put to death.

Oregon needs to get busy about it. This is a good thing, not a bad thing.